Arts universities produce the most start-ups, study shows

New research from the financial tech company Tide reveals that art universities produce more start-up businesses than other institutions.

Art Universities Lead in Start-Up Creation
By analyzing data from the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), researchers identified the Royal College of Art as the top UK university for start-up creation. Since the 2014/2015 academic year, 1,665 graduates have launched their own businesses.

Although start-up culture is often linked to the tech industry, arts-focused universities consistently produce more entrepreneurs. Many artists work as freelancers, which naturally leads to business creation. This trend is evident in Kingston University, which ranks second. With strong programs in business, engineering, fashion, and design, Kingston graduates are more likely to start their own businesses than those from other institutions.

Falmouth University and the Power of Mentorship
Falmouth University, third on the list, has cultivated creativity while equipping students with practical business skills. Their Launchpad programme connects entrepreneurial students with mentorship and networking opportunities, helping them bring ideas to market.

Having a high number of start-ups from a university is a positive sign. Given the freelance nature of creative careers, this trend is less surprising than it might seem. However, while arts-focused universities produce the most start-ups, these businesses are not always the most financially successful.

The Financial Impact of University Innovations
Beyond start-up numbers, Tide examined the financial value of a university’s intellectual property. Oxford University ranks highest, with innovations worth £213 million since 2015. Oxford also leads in patents, with 3,086 granted over five years, primarily in technology and healthcare.

The Institute of Cancer Research follows closely, generating £208 million in intellectual property. This success stems from groundbreaking advancements in cancer research.

The Role of Accelerator Programs
The University of Sheffield demonstrates how structured support programs can boost start-up success. Their Pre-accelerator programme, valued at £64 million, helps students refine, develop, and market their start-up ideas, focusing on securing investment.

Tide’s research highlights the significant role of creative industries in start-up creation. When combined with mentorship and networking opportunities, creative instruction fosters entrepreneurial success. While the highest-value start-ups still emerge from tech and healthcare, fields like design and fashion can also produce lucrative ventures when students receive the right support.

Credit: https://www.tide.co